Judge orders Metrolink liability fund deposited

DAISY NGUYEN, Associated Press Writer

A federal judge has ordered Southern California's Metrolink system and Connex Railroad to deposit $200 million to compensate victims of a 2008 commuter train disaster, but has yet to decide whether to approve the settlement.

Judge George H. Wu ordered Monday that the money be deposited by Oct. 20.

The collision of a Metrolink train and a freight train in Los Angeles killed 25 people and injured more than 100. Investigators believe the Metrolink engineer provided by Connex was texting moments earlier and ran a red light.

Last month Metrolink and Connex said they would pay $200 million - the maximum in damage payouts for a train crash under federal law.

Critics say the fund isn't enough and there are efforts in Washington to challenge the liability cap.